Chapter 5

           Wegothisbodydownthetwelvestairsandontothegurneyallright.Mynightmarewasthathiscookedfleshmightsloughrightoffhisbonesasweluggedhim—itwasOldToot’sdonetomturkeythathadgottenintomyhead—butofcoursethatdidn’thappen.

           CurtisAndersonwasupstairssoothingthespectators—tryingto,anyway—andthatwasgoodforBrutal,becauseAndersonwasn’ttheretoseewhenBrutaltookasteptowardtheheadofthegurneyandpulledhisarmbacktoslugPercy,whowasstandingtherelookingstunned.Icaughthisarm,andthatwasgoodforbothofthem.ItwasgoodforPercybecauseBrutalmeanttodeliverablowofnear-decapitoryforce,andgoodforBrutalbecausehewouldhavelosthisjobiftheblowhadconnected,andmaybeendedupinprisonhimself.

           "No,"Isaid.

           "Whatdoyoumean,no?"heaskedmefuriously."Howcanyousayno?Yousawwhathedid!Whatareyoutellingme?Thatyou’restillgoingtolethisconnectionsprotecthim?Afterwhathedid?"

           Brutalstaredatme,mouthagape,eyessoangrytheywerewatering.

           "Listentome,Brutus—youtakeapokeathim,andmostlikelyweallgo.You,me,Dean,Harry,maybeevenJackVanHay.Everyoneelsemovesarungortwouptheladder,startingwithBillDodge,andthePrisonCommissionhiresthreeorfourBreadlineBarneystofillthespotsatthebottom.Maybeyoucanlivewiththat,but—"IcockedmythumbatDean,whowasstaringdownthedripping,brick-linedtunnel.